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You’re in The Navy Now~Part 2

31 Jul

A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

Bill

Back home in Albuquerque, I discovered Boot Camp, the “Summer Cruise” I had just endured was actually going to be credited to my 1956 record, and I was now eligible to go for my 1957 “Summer Cruise” if I so elected.  Since I f1elt like having to go to boot camp had cheated me out of a cruise on a “real ship,” and I was bored with those reserve meetings, I ask my company commander for orders to go on a “real summer cruise” and he reluctantly agreed.  This time I was assigned to the destroyer USS Gurke (DD-783) out of San Diego.

At first sight, tied up alongside the pier, I thought the Gurke was a small ship, but it didn’t take me long to find out that it was plenty big enough, especially, when it came to swabbing decks and painting bulkheads.  The 2regular Navy sailors looked down on us Reserve pukes, so it was no big revelation to learn that was why we got so many of the grunt jobs.

The ship’s regular routine while I was onboard, was five days of maneuvers training at sea and back to port for the weekend.  I was surprised to find that this landlubber got his “sea legs” right away and didn’t get seasick like many of the other reservists, but I actually enjoyed the rolling/pitching motion of the ship.  That is, until on liberty that first weekend, while walking through San Diego, the streets were 3rolling/pitching like the ship had been doing all week.  Then, when I stopped in a tattoo parlor with a friend, and almost lost my dinner because of the sights/smells and the moving room.

I discovered that in the Navy, the smaller the ship the better the food, because there are fewer men to cook for.  The food on the Gurke was great, and I looked forward to every meal.  However, that wasn’t the case with some of the other reservists.  I thought we were lucky during this cruise, because the areas of the ocean we did our maneuvers in were 4relatively calm most of the time.  But, there were others who were sea sick from the moment we left the dock, and never did get over it until they were back on dry land.

After the two-week cruise on the USS Gurke, it was back to Albuquerque and those boring monthly reserve meetings, where I finally realized I was just going to have to bite the bullet and get this Navy thing over with.  The contract I had signed up for was two years of active service and four years of reserve service.  So I went to my company commander and requested orders for active service.  He said NO!  What was this?  Weren’t we in the same Navy?  Then I realized he probably got points or something, for each person in his unit.  But, I was determined, and went several levels over his head, and wrote to the Commandant of what was then the 11th Naval District, and requested active service.  Would you believe, I had my orders for active service within two weeks, and boy, was my company commander mad!  However, to get this “trouble maker” out of his district, the Commandant had cut my orders to report to the Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Center in Illinois, outside Chicago.  The next thing I knew, I was on a train headed East.

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—–To Be Continued—–

 

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Susie’s Daddy

29 Jul

My Take

DiVoran LItes

Author, Poet and Artist

Earl plays the guitar for our praise team. He’s one of those who can play many instruments and play them without notes on paper.

Earl is a big man, younger than my son, older than my grandson.  I hold his hand in our prayer circle after practice. His hand is gentle, patient, and strong.

His little girl, Susie, is in my Sunday School class. She’s about to be seven as she puts it.

One day she brought a plush horse to Sunday School and I noticed he had construction paper wings. They were designed and cut and adhered to the horse with tape that stayed on through all Susie’s loving. “Who made your horse’s wings?” I said.

“My daddy,” she said. Later I learned that almost all her critters have wings daddy has made for them. One Sunday she told me about a small worry, and I suggested she tell her Mommy about it. AND my Daddy says Susie adamantly.

After practice on Father’s Day it came to me to compliment Earl on his fathering skills. Everyone likes to be encouraged in this way.

As we left the platform I said I had something I wanted to tell him. A look of fear came into his eyes and I realized that he had perhaps in the past been told a lot of things he didn’t want to hear, but he was brave, he didn’t bolt.

“Susie really loves you, I said. You are a good father.”

“She’s my baby,” he said, still wary.

I told him about the wings and how impressed I was with the way Susie loves him and trusts him.

“Just doing what comes naturally,” said Earl.

I told him I understood that, but that few daddy’s of my acquaintance gave their little daughters the kind of TLC he does.

“Oh, I didn’t know….” His face began to crumple.

In order to escape his embarrassment if he started to cry I started to move discretely away, but he kept pace with me. “Thank you for telling me that,” he said. “You can’t know what it means to me.”

I told him I did understand what he meant. Regular people so rarely see our own excellent qualities.

My grandmother Maire would approve of my telling him how I felt.. She always taught that if you saw something good about someone they deserved a compliment.

Pastor Peter Lord would approve too. His number one message these days is Eulogy:.tell people good things about themselves while they are alive. Don’t wait until you go to their funerals.

Most people need encouragement for the good things they are and do. To coin a phrase a quart of praise is worth more than a gallon of criticism. It’s one gift that makes both the giver and the receiver as happy as can be.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

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A New Beginning

28 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

 Judy Wills

JUDY

 Back in March, there appeared a post on Old Things R New, written by our Grandson, Forrest.  If you want to check it out, it was March 18, and titled So How Did I Do It?  It was about purchasing an engagement ring and proposing to the love of his life.  He’s a great writer.

I now want to tell you the rest of the story – and a new beginning.  Forrest and Alyssa were married on Friday, July 12.  It was a grand event, and well attended.  Parents and Grandparents from both sides of Forrest’s and Alyssa’s family were there, as well as  aunts, uncles, and cousins.

I had teased Forrest last Christmas about being “ticked” at him and Alyssa.  At his “why?” I told him our story.  You see, Alyssa and her family are from San Jose, California.  When they announced their engagement, I began plotting our trip to San Jose and California – back to see all the sights we saw when Fred and I lived there.  And I had wanted, for quite a while now, to take a cruise that went along the California coastline, from San Diego up to Washington State.  I had it all planned out in my mind, and had even begun looking at cruises.

And then the bottom dropped out – they had decided to get married in Wheaton, Illinois, where they met at school!!  NOOOOOOOO!!!  There went my dream cruise!

Didn’t matter that it made more sense to get married there, where all their school friends were.  I wanted that trip to California!!!!  Oh well, this is not my party.

And so we all gathered on Thursday for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.**1  Forrest’s sister was to be a bridesmaid.  Our Grandtwins were both to be in the wedding party – Hannah as a flower girl and Connor as the ring bearer.

The dinner was held at The Ivy, a neat old building in downtown Wheaton, that one time had been a funeral home.  Stained glass windows and all.  Lovely.

The wedding itself went off without a hitch.  I was watching Forrest as Alyssa and her father walked down the aisle toward him, and saw his chin quiver, and his eyes get a bit red.  The pastor later said that it was a good thing the music lasted just a little longer, so that Forrest could compose himself!

The party moved to the Morton Arboretum for the reception, where Forrest had proposed to Alyssa.  Beautiful place, and just the right setting for the occasion.

And then the newly married couple was off to Cancun for their honeymoon.  Forrest was eager to show Alyssa some of the spots we all had seen on a cruise together.

And a new beginning starts…..

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Bandit

26 Jul

 From the Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

Like a “thief in the night

You stalked your prey

You watched my “goings”in and  out

You hid behind the tree all day

It was my heart you were searching out!

You were abandoned, hungry, and frightened,

Always anxious by day.

You were left at the home of the “Cat Lady”.

Would you be welcomed,

Or turned away?

” You don’t know the heart

 Of the “Cat Lady”, little friend-

You were welcomed the moment

She looked into your eyes

And saw the need that has no end-

It’s called “love!”

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I Love Indie Books Blog Hop

25 Jul

The Indie Books Blog Hop is a great way to discover new authors, and maybe win a prize or two. Be sure to look for the “CLICK HERE” at the bottom to be linked with more blogs offering prizes and or gift cards.

Rebekah Lyn's Kitchen

Image

Being an indie writer means I work a full time job to pay the bills, then come home and try to find time to write. There are some days when sitting at the computer watching the cursor flash on the blank screen can be overwhelming and, on occasion, I have been known to close the laptop and open up my closet or some other cluttered space and start reorganzing. Currently, I’m struggling with how to end my work in progress and fighting the urge to makeover the guest bedrooms. Instead, I’ve been surfing the interent for any facts even remotely connected with my story. That is still work, right? Now, I’m going to give you a chance to do some surfing of your own over at Amazon and I better get back to writing. Click HERE for a list of the other sites participating with more great prizes.

Amazon Gift Card photo

a Rafflecopter…

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You’re in the Navy Now~Part 1

24 Jul


A Slice of Life

Bill Lites

No. 7 Blogger

No. 7 Blogger

1When I was a senior in high school my best friend Bud talked me into joining the U.S. Navy Reserve.  The idea behind this brilliant move was to get the attention of girls.  You see, we lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico where there were two U.S. Air Force bases and we had grown up seeing guys in Air Force uniforms everywhere we went.So, we figured, what better way to attract the attention of girls than to be able to drive up and down Central Avenue dressed up in those unusual Navy uniforms once a month.  Of course, once we joined up and got those uniforms, things didn’t actually turn out the way we planned.

Back then there was none of this “I don’t like this, I want out” business.  Once you 2signed up, you were in for the duration.  The worse thing was, by the time we got out of our evening meetings and got to the drive-in, most of the girls had already been picked up by some Air Force guy, or gone home to do their homework.

The first few monthly meetings were a real adjustment for me.  Each meeting 3started with us having to report to the reserve unit doctor for a series of shots.  We were inoculated against every disease known to man, so the Navy could send us anywhere in the world and we would be protected.  I couldn’t believe how many shots that entailed.

While we were still stinging from the shots, it was “All personnel report to the parade ground for close order 4drill.”  That was the “grinder” where they taught how to salute every officer we ever encountered, how to handle our M1 rifle, march in straight lines, all the while looking smart so our company commander would look good to any big shots during divisional presentations.

Each year all reservists were required to participate in a “Summer Cruise.”  That sounded like fun, until I discovered the Summer Cruise for all first time reservists was “Boot Camp” at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego.  I don’t think the drill instructors were very happy to see us by the way they treated us, but I was glad to see reservists from other states there, and to know I wasn’t the only one having to go through all this degrading punishment.

Even though I had worked at various jobs since I was fourteen, nothing of those 5had prepared me for the challenges of boot camp.  We did learn some interesting things while at boot camp, like how to tie every knot the Navy had used since the beginning of time, and survival swimming, a must for use after the ship you are on is torpedoed at sea and sinks, and all you have left to make a float with is your trousers.

Then there was how to properly fight those scary shipboard compartment fires with nothing but water, and the one I disliked the most, the gas mask training.  6They have you put on a gas mask, walk you into a building full of tear gas, and let you stand there to see how effective the mask is.  Then, they tell you to remove your mask.  Of 7course, you hold your breath as long as you can, but you don’t think to close your eyes.  The next thing you know, your eyes are burning like crazy and you have to breath, and that’s when you get the full force of what that gas can do to a person.  Let me tell you, that episode made a real believer out of me, because that tear gas they use is really nasty stuff.

But, mostly it was a 24-hour test to see if you could keep up with marching 8everywhere we went, exercising with our rifles until we thought our arms would fall off, drill until we thought we would wear the soles off our shoes, clean the barrack until a bug wouldn’t dare show it’s face in the place, and learn how to wash our clothes by hand with a bar of Ivory soap.

Luckily it only lasted two weeks.  Then, when it was over, I actually felt cheated that the only ship I had been on through all that, was the USS Recruit (TDE-1), which turned out to be a giant “ship simulator” sitting in the middle of one of the training center parade grounds.

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—–To Be Continued—–

 

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This is My Story and I Am Sticking to It

23 Jul

On the Porch

Onisha Ellis

This summer has certainly had its ups and downs. Our family members have been Onishaplagued with ongoing physical challenges and a precious uncle went to be with the Lord. The garden I was so excited about in the spring has pretty much fizzled. The weather has included rain most days and when it has been nice, my work with Rebekah Lyn Books has kept me hard at work on my computer instead of chilling on the porch.

Then Monday morning I looked outside and the sun was shining, my husband was feeling better and a flower basket hanging outside my front door was beautiful and

House Wrens love to nest here.once again housing a bird nest. For the past three years we have purchased the same kind of flower basket and each year an adorable bird has nested there. Something about that basket and the new life growing inside of it sparked a thrill of joy. It reminded me that whether I am experiencing mountain top highs or walking down a thorny path it is all a pattern in the seasons of life. I have rejoiced in the glorious days and I will choose to rejoice in these trying days.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14.27

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Standing on the Promises

22 Jul

My Take

DiVoran Lites

Author, Poet and ArtistEvery family has trouble and sorrow. Our’s is no exception, but one day when I had come to the end of my resources, I discovered that God made promises in the Bible. Nothing has ever been the same since.

As I began to see scripture as promises I wrote them down in a small, red, velvet book. Soon it was filled with promises and quotations from godly folks I trust.

Now many years later, I’ve seen the fulfillment of those promises. Not only have they been fulfilled in the family we started with but in our descendants as well. My greatest hope has happened. God is good.

How about you, is there a special promise you have claimed in trying times?

“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 53:13

 

If you would like to read more from DiVoran she can be found at Rebekah Lyn Books

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Aunt Jess’s Plates

21 Jul

SUNDAY MEMORIES

Judy Wills

JUDY

My Aunt Jessie was quite an interesting person. She was my Mother’s only sibling, and was what we used to call an “old maid.” She never married, and my granny lived with her. And because Jessie didn’t have children of her own, she rather doted upon my brother and myself. Most of the time that was a good thing….sometimes it got me into trouble with my parents.

She was an excellent bookkeeper. I have pictures from an album she put together that showed her with friends from “E.B.S.” which I took to be Enid (Oklahoma) Business School. She and my mother both were taught penmanship and had beautiful handwriting.

She and Granny moved to Albuquerque in 1952, into a wonderful house that I loved. I think I spent nearly as much time there as I did at my own house. It was only about 10 minutes away from our house.

She worked as the bookkeeper for an office supply company in downtown Albuquerque for many years. But, looking toward retirement, she thought she might open up a “collectibles” store, and began purchasing collectible plates and figurines. She had flowers, and especially Norman Rockwell scenes.

1After she retired from bookkeeping, she just never really did get that store up and running. But she had – literally – hundreds of plates! They were still in their original boxes (a must for collectors!), and were in very good shape. But she really loved those plates, and rather pined over them. After Granny died, all she had left were her “things” to give her pleasure. So my Mother took many of the plates and hung them all around on Jessie’s dining room walls. There were flowers and Norman Rockwell all around.

After Jessie died, we were encouraged to take of hers what we wanted. I had enjoyed quite a few of the plates, myself, and have them today.2

Jessie got quite a chuckle out of the one I liked that was of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow – you

3remember – the one who supposedly started the great Chicago Fire?

But one that I especially enjoyed was a comfortable scene of an older couple, seated together on a couch, feet on footstools, with a cat laying before them. It reminded me so much of Fred’s parents, that I gave it to them. They hung it in their home for many years. As a matter of fact, our youngest daughter had asked, “why are Grandma and Grandpa on that plate?”

When they down-sized into an assisted-living facility, they gave the plate back to me. I have it now hanging on the wall, just above a picture of Fred’s parents. The resemblance is really remarkable.4

When Fred’s sister and her husband came to visit once, I mentioned this story and showed them the two – plate and picture. Their comment was “oh my!” They couldn’t believe it either – it was as if Fred’s parents had modeled for Mr. Rockwell!

My brother took some of the plates, but most of them were sold at the estate sale we held following Jessie’s death. We just didn’t have room for all those plates. Just another piece of my history that I wish I had room to keep.

 

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Gratitude

19 Jul

From the Heart

Louise Gibson

author of Window Wonders

 

“I have learned to enjoy the little things-

there are so many of them”

GRATITUDE

 

I thank God for His blessings-

Waking up each morning is one.

There is so much promise in the air,

So many victories to be won..

It is all age-related-

What is your expectancy?

To pass all the “tests” of the day-

Whatever they may be?

 

We all face challenges

That tax our existence-

But one must persevere

In spite of their persistence.

 

Hold on to your values-

Stand up for what you believe.

If God is at the forefront-

He will help you to achieve!

 

 

“Enjoy the little things,

For one day you may look back

And realize they were the big things”

Robert Brault

 

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